Rivers in Maine
Saco River at Cornish
Below flood stage
1.64ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 20, 4:45 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 13.50 ft
- Record crest
- 21.90 ft1936
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 16.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 15.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 13.50 ft |
| Action | 10.00 ft |
- 22.00 ftDisastrous flooding occurs along the Saco River. Record Flooding exceeding the March 21, 1936 flood, and almost 6 feet higher than the flood of 1987. Inundation is around the FEMA 0.2 percent flood level. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 20.00 ftExtremely severe flooding occurs along the Saco River from Cornish to Bonny Eagle. This will approach the March 29, 1953 flood, which reached 20.5 feet. Inundation is around the FEMA 1 percent flood level. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 16.50 ftVery severe flooding occurs from Cornish to Bonny Eagle, comparable to the flood of 1987. Numerous structures become flooded with buildings on campgrounds flooded by several feet. This is a very dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 16.00 ftSevere flooding occurs from Cornish to Bonny Eagle. This is a dangerous situation.
- 15.00 ftModerate flooding occurs downstream in Limington. Access roads of Island Drive and River Road become impassable.
- 13.50 ftMinor flooding occurs along River Road in Cornish and downstream in Limington. Some permanent buildings on the campgrounds become isolated.
- 11.00 ftRiver is out of banks and into Bonny Eagle Recreational fields and farmland off Sokokis Ave in Limington. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for recreational paddling.
- 10.00 ftRecreational floating the river is too hazardous due to strong turbulence and high flows. Faster flows along the river are expected but no flooding occurs. Campers near the river should move to higher ground.
Crest history
15 crests on NOAA’s list since 1923.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 21, 1936 | 21.90 ft |
| 2 | March 29, 1953 | 20.51 ft |
| 3 | April 3, 1987 | 16.54 ft |
| 4 | June 18, 1998 | 15.11 ft |
| 5 | May 2, 1923 | 14.72 ft |
| 6 | January 30, 1986 | 14.58 ft |
| 7 | April 23, 1969 | 14.39 ft |
| 8 | January 13, 1956 | 14.17 ft |
| 9 | May 5, 2023 | 13.03 ft |
| 10 | April 23, 2019 | 12.97 ft |
| 11 | December 21, 2023 | 12.84 ft |
| 12 | April 18, 2014 | 12.26 ft |
| 13 | May 15, 1989 | 11.67 ft |
| 14 | November 2, 2017 | 10.30 ft |
| 15 | March 15, 2016 | 7.30 ft |
Most recent crests
- December 21, 2023: 12.84 ft
- May 5, 2023: 13.03 ft
- April 23, 2019: 12.97 ft
- November 2, 2017: 10.30 ft
- March 15, 2016: 7.30 ft
- April 18, 2014: 12.26 ft
- June 18, 1998: 15.11 ft
- May 15, 1989: 11.67 ft
- April 3, 1987: 16.54 ft
- January 30, 1986: 14.58 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Northeast River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.